Micky van de Ven has refused to label Tottenham as favourites over Manchester United ahead of the Europa League final despite Spurs’ treble win over the Red Devils this season.
Tottenham Hotspur must be laser-focused when they take on Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final at the San Mames Stadium in Spain.
Winning the Europa League would represent a major triumph for Tottenham, who currently find themselves languishing in 17th place in the Premier League table, with no hope of securing European football through their league finish.
A club of Tottenham Hotspur’s stature simply needs to be playing in Europe’s top-tier competitions, and with no other route back into the Champions League, winning in Bilbao is now the only option.
Micky van de Ven downplays Spurs advantage over Manchester United
Manchester United now await Tottenham in the final, having dismantled Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate in their semi-final clash.
However, their league form is every bit as bleak as Tottenham’s, with Ruben Amorim’s side currently sitting just one point and one place above the Lilywhites in the Premier League standings.
Spurs remain unbeaten against Manchester United in all domestic competitions this season, after beating them twice in the Premier League and once more in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
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Micky van de Ven and the rest of the Tottenham squad know that a fourth win over Manchester United would seal the trophy on Wednesday, 21 May.
Despite this, the Dutch defender has insisted that those past wins count for nothing now, stating there is no advantage to be drawn from earlier victories.
Asked if Tottenham had the edge over United, Van de Ven told Hayters: “I would not say it is an advantage because it is games in past so this is a game, it is a final and I know in a final anything can happen. We won three times against them so hopefully we can do the same thing for the final.”
Manchester United history looms over Spurs despite unbeaten run
Tottenham Hotspur remain unbeaten in their last six matches against Manchester United, with both sides recording four wins and two draws in their last ten meetings.
Several Manchester United legends have hinted that United’s pedigree in Europe makes them favourites for this tie, regardless of recent form.
Paul Scholes is the latest to weigh in, stating that while Tottenham might be seen as favourites on paper, he still backs Manchester United based on their history and track record in major finals.
He said: “When you look at the recent matches between the two teams, then you will probably have to make Tottenham the slight favourites.
“But Manchester United are used to being in finals. Even in recent bad periods, they are still reaching finals and winning trophies and I think that experience is big. Tottenham will probably be the best team on the night, but I just think United will have enough to win.”